Recruiting is a strange beast. Looked like UGA was going to sign a respectable, but not spectacular class for 2010, and then Clemson coach Oliver Purnell decided to bolt for greener pastures.

All of the sudden, Marcus Thornton, Clemson's prized recruit, was back on the market. The Dawgs got busy and reeled Thornton in. Great job for Coach Fox.

In very big news, it looks like Thornton's signing has created a boost of good will for the Dawgs. Julian Royal has Georgia in his top three. His highly ranked teammate, Dai-Jon Parker is taking a hard look at UGA.

Could it be? Georgia might start to get the best players from the state, and actually wrap up early commitments.

Sure, I know recruiting is fickle. But just because women are hard to figure out, doesn't mean that we stop liking 'em. Let's enjoy the emotion, the thrill, the hormone high.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Albert Jackson has signed with the Gwinnett Majic of the World Basketball Association (WBA).

In his last game, Jackson had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Majic lost the contest, however, to the Jacksonville Blue Wave.

The WBA calls itself an "exposure league." Many of the players who have signed with the WBA teams are looking to showcase their skills so that they can get picked up by the D-League or international teams.

For the timebeing, however, the players seem to be content with the chance to keep playing the sport that they love. There's certainly not much in the way of glamour to keep them committed. The Gwinnett Majic, for example, are playing their games in the county's high school gymnasiums. Let's face it, there are only so many fans that will show up at a high school gym during the summer.

Eventually, though, there's bound to be a feel-good story about a player who makes it all the way to the NBA. Albert Jackson played hard for the Dawgs and powered through some tough injuries. I doubt that the NBA is in Jackson's future, but then again, I didn't expect the Dawgs to win the SEC Tournament Championship a couple of years ago.

So, in my opinion, it's good that Jackson has decided to stay in the game. Who knows what might happen? Big men are at a premium. The key for Jackson will be to improve his hands. If he can find the right team at the right level, catch the ball cleanly and learn a few moves around the bucket, he has the height and the physical strength to be competitive.

I'd love to get these guys more interested in UGA, but that might in fact happen. If Donte Williams has any influence, he might help convince Parker to give Georgia a closer look.

Parker would be a key addition, since most of our beef (Jeremy Price and Chris Barnes) will be graduating next year. Maybe Donte Williams and Cady Lalanne can put on some weight, but it would still be great to get Parker.